What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
SUMMER 2021 -- Pack light, and bring only what you need for the semester and what you can reasonably pack & carry home in a single trip. We recommend no more than two suitcases.
Students should consider that circumstances could require a move to Isolation housing or a move out of campus housing with little or no advance notice.
Be prepared for COVID-19 and emergencies:
- Assemble an emergency supply kit that includes cash, a first aid kit, and a flashlight
- Face masks
- A thermometer
- Prepare a two weeks' supply of snacks, medicine, or other necessities in the case you are required to quarantine or move to isolation housing.
Student rooms are furnished with the following items:
- Extra-long twin bed and mattress (39"x80")
- some beds at 110th St. College Residence are standard twin size
- Desk & Chair
- Clothing storage (dresser/drawer space and closet or wardrobe space)
Note: the College no longer supplies mirrors in student rooms (although mirrors still in place have not been removed). If your room does not have a mirror, you can use one with "over-the-door" hooks (example photo). Mirrors cannot be nailed or screwed into the walls, etc.
Recommended items for all students:
- Bedding (extra-long twin sheets, 39"x80"), blankets/comforter, pillows, towels
- Flip-flops & shower caddy
- Laundry items (basket, detergent, iron*)
- Note: only irons with an automatic shut-off feature are permitted
- Emergency kit (see below)
- Renter's Insurance: if your family homeowner's or renter's insurance does not extend to cover you while away at school, we strongly encourage you to look into purchasing renter's insurance. The College accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to a student’s personal property, including (but not limited to) fire, theft, water damage, and the elements. [More Information]
Listed below are some additional items you may want to bring with you to make your life in campus housing more comfortable. Bring only what can fit in your room -- the residential communities have no storage space for your personal belongings. We encourage students to pack lightly so they don't bring too much with them (you can always get more stuff later if you have room).
- Only electrical items that are UL-Listed
- Bathrobe, towels (hand towels, wash cloths, bath towels), shower shoes
- Book bag or knapsack
- Computer/laptop, printer, USB drive
- Fan (most residence halls do not have AC and neither window nor portable AC units are permitted)
- First Aid kit
- Refrigerator if living in the Quad or Elliott (maximum allowed capacity size is 3.5 cubic feet & "microfridges" with a built in microwave are prohibited)
- Surge protector power strip (regular extension cords are not permitted)
- American power adapters (if bringing appliances from other countries)
The safety of our students while on campus is always our primary concern. Should a natural disaster, severe weather conditions, or other unforeseen emergency occur, it may be necessary for students to be self-sufficient for a short period of time. To that end, all students should bring an emergency supply kit to meet their personal needs.
The kit should be stored in your room where you can grab it if needed during an evacuation.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Large backpack to hold your supplies
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio or a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Dust masks to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting & duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Sturdy hiking boots or other shoes
- Extra clothes, including rain gear
- Emergency phone numbers for your family & friends
- Packaged/non-perishable snacks/food
- Reusable water bottle
Additional Items to Consider Adding to your Emergency Supply Kit:
- Cash (small bills)
- Copy of medical insurance card
- Map of the city/region
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Sleeping bag or warm/emergency blanket
- Personal hygiene items
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
- Paper and pencil
- Books, cards, non-electric games, puzzles or other activities to pass the time
For more information, please visit the NYC Emergency Management website.
- All of your books and notes from high school
- Your entire wardrobe
- Ethernet cords (campus has WiFi, with the exception of Cathedral Gardens)
- Quarters (the cost of laundry is included in your room price)
There will be limited space in your room, so we encourage you not to overpack. Items you may need later can be bought locally, ordered online, or sent from home. Make your move-in motto: "When in doubt, leave it out!"
Please also see the list of items that are prohibited and not allowed in the residence halls at http://barnard.edu/reslife/policies/prohibited-items.
For the full list of items not allowed in the residence halls, please visit http://barnard.edu/reslife/policies/prohibited-items